PCC will present " South Pacific"

Sunday

Apr 7, 2013 at 12:01 AM

The Pratt Community College Performing Arts Department is pleased to present the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic, "South Pacific" in conjunction with the college's 75th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee celebration.

There will be three showings: April 12 and 13 at 7:30 p.m. and April 14 at 2:30 p.m. Admission is $5. A dinner theatre will be offered before the Saturday showing.

The story takes place in the South Pacific toward the end of World War II. The island Navy base and the nearby island of Bali Ha'i are the setting for two parallel love stories intertwined with the action of the war.

The work is based on James A. Michener's Pulitzer Prize-winning 1947 book Tales of the South Pacific. The show opened in New York in 1949 and won a Pulitzer Prize for drama in 1950.

"South Pacific" is the second longest running show in Broadway history. The original production won 10 Tony Awards and the 2008 Revival found great success also.

The PCC production is truly a community event as well. The cast includes elementary, middle and high school students and adults from Pratt, Medicine Lodge, Cunningham and Turon as well as many college students.

"We have a phenomenally talented cast for the 2013 rendition of 'South Pacific' in Pratt. We are blessed as a community to have so many talented actors and vocalists in the Pratt community," said Misty Beck, director.

The show includes an intricate set and has required hours of work and research into military life in WWII. Many military artifacts have been borrowed for the show and will be a real treat.

"Our technical director, Jeremy Patterson, has outdone himself on this one," Beck said. "No matter how crazy my ideas seemed to be, he managed to make magic happen on stage."

The show will be accompanied by a three-piece band led by PCC music instructor, J.J. Rupe on drums and keyboards. Rupe is joined in the bandbox by Duane Hanks on piano and Brian Beaman on bass guitar. The use of a "rock combo" type band gives the show a contemporary feel while maintaining the strong traditions of the orchestrations.

Another highlight performance will be Brandon Wade, Pratt High music director, as Luther Billis the comic Seabee.

Phil Harris of Cunningham reprises his role of Captain Brackett – he played this role in Pratt Music Theatre's production approximately 20 years ago.

Blake and Carson Lee add to the cast with their slapstick portrayals of the Professor and Stewpot, while Garrett Geesling, Logan Kalmar, Eric Geesling and Jacob Dodson round out the singing sailors.

Bill Hunter joins in as second in command, Commander Harbison. The Debeque children are played by Olivia Jacobs and Brooklynn Hernandez. Additional sailors, and a host of nurses round out the cast.

The show is rated PG.

If you goDates: April 12 & 13, 7:30 p.m., doors open at 7. April 14 at 2:30 p.m. $5, no reservationDinner Theatre: Prior to Saturday showing. Reservations at 620-450-2212. $15 for dinner and show.Place: PCC Carpenter Auditorium